Rhubarb 2017

ST EDWARD’S r h u b a r b

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JOHNSON , Hugo Johnson, (F, 1939-1943). Hugo studied at Pembroke College Cambridge from 1943 to1945, before joining the RAF in 1945. He became an Insurance Actuary in 1953, working for Law Union & Rock, and R Life Holdings from 1949 to1987, retiring in 1987 as Chairman and Managing Director. JOURDAIN – On 28th July 2016, Patrick Jourdain (C, 1956- 1961). Patrick’s sister Susan has kindly provided the following obituary: Patrick Jourdain was the son of Ernest Jourdain (F, 1922- 1926) and nephew of Reginald Jourdain (F, 1925-1931). He made his life with the game of Bridge: from starting a Bridge club at St Edward’s school to playing for Wales in Hungary a few weeks before he died. He graduated in Physics and Maths from Peterhouse, Cambridge, and spent more than 10 years with British Steel, doing Operational Analysis and in the computer department, before retreating from Glasgow back to Cardiff as the manager of the Bridge club there. In the 1980s he earned a pittance commentating on Bridge matches and a bit more writing Bridge News and Problems for The Daily Telegraph , who gave him a long obituary. There were interesting moments with Omar Sharif and Chairman Deng in Beijing. He was, at the time of his death, the President of the International Bridge Press Association and the World Bridge Federation also honoured him. Some of his books are still available. In 53 years, I am told, he won every international cup there is, as an individual and playing for Scotland (to 1976) and Wales after that He played golf at Llanishen.

clothes. This was before the security of rescue boats and mobile phones. Jay’s independent thinking did not easily fit the discipline and tedium of boarding school. At the suggestion (and to the relief ) of the headmaster, he left school at 15, and went to sea with the British India Steamship Co. With other cadets on the training ship Chantala, he learned the art of navigation, seamanship, weather, and the shipping business. He saw the world, had a lot of fun with the other cadets, and grew up quickly. In 1968 Jay was first mate on the Happy Dragon, which was a ship carrying paper from Finland to China. China was in the midst of the Cultural Revolution, and the paper was needed for the Chairman Mao government to print copies of the Little Red Book . When they docked in Shanghai, the Chinese crew mutinied, smashed down the door of the bridge, and handed Jay and the English captain to the Red Guards. They were then paraded through the square while being beaten, pinched and humiliated by their captors. It must have been terrifying, but they were eventually released; there would have been very few westerners in China at that time. His maritime career continued for a year or two after we both migrated to Perth, working for Tidewater Marine in the offshore oilfields of Indonesia and NW Australia. He was skipper of the powerful oil-rig supply ships. Jay’s stories made it seem like one long adventure, playing tug-boats, fishing expeditions, and exploring Indonesian islands looking for fresh water for the ship and rig. There’s even a rumour that he water-

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Patrick Jourdain

Registrar at University College Hospital, London, and a Consultant Physician in North Devon from 1968. MACFARLANE – In October 2016, John (Jay) Macfarlane, (D, 1954-1958), brother to Bob Macfarlane (D, 1952-1956). The following obituary has kindly been provided by his brother Bob: We were brought up on a small farm near Oxford. Our parents were keen sailors, and Jay learned to be responsible for himself at sea at a young age. He had his own racing dinghy at 14, cruising the Solent to different regattas. Looking back, I’m amazed at our parents, letting him sail away on his own for a few days, with a sleeping bag and a change of

Occasional tennis or swimming gave him a wide acquaintance. Patrick always sang bass in his sister’s church choir at Christmas and Easter and he joined in any ‘come and sing’ Messiah available in his busy travelling schedule. The church was full for his funeral with real friends from Europe and the world. LORENA – On 10th April 2016, Charles Anthony Lorena (F, 1953-1956). Charles was a Civil Engineer and Managing Director of Collyweston Construction Ltd. MACCAIG – On 21st March 2016, John MacCaig (C, 1945-1950). John studied at the University of Manchester from 1950 to 1955. He was a